Chapter Text
“I’m not so sure about this”, Charlie expresses while tugging at the sleeves of his jumper.
Him and Isaac were making their way into the local bookstore to collect two job applications. A week ago Isaac had noticed a poster on the window of the store with the words “HELP WANTED” in big, bold, red letters. It took hours of convincing but somehow he got Charlie to agree to apply alongside him.
“Charlie it’s alright, we’re just picking up applications. It’s not like you’re starting your first day or anything.” Isaac replied, “Besides, you’re doing it with me.”
Charlie smiled, his best friend knew exactly what to say to ease his mind. Thankfully they were able to enter the store without him going into a full on panic attack. As they walk in, they are welcomed by the smell of new books and coffee. The walls were lined with bookshelves, each one labeled a different genre. There were round and rectangular tables scattered among the store taking up space as well, Charlie assumed that’s where all of the newer books were displayed. The checkout counter was placed right in the middle of the store and behind it stood a short blonde haired employee, they were typing on the large black keyboard sitting on the counter, when the two boys approached they gave a warm and welcoming smile, Isaac and Charlie returned the favor.
“Welcome to The Book Attic!” they exclaimed, “my name is Darcy. How can I help you guys?”
Charlie looked up at Isaac the same way a child would look at their mother when it was their turn to order food at a restaurant. Isaac chuckled and rolled his eyes at Charlie before answering the employee.
“We were just wondering if we could have two job applications please?”
“Oh my gosh, of course” they replied, “you guys are literally the first people to ask and we’ve been looking for weeks.” They hand the boys their applications and each of them a pen. “Feel free to fill that out here so you can just hand it back when you’re finished.”
Both boys said their thank you's and walked over to a sitting area in the far corner of the store, they began answering the personal questions on the form and finished almost at the exact same time. Isaac smiled at Charlie once he finished and he smiled back.
“Charlie, you don’t have to do this unless you genuinely want to. I just thought having a job would help get your mind off of other things.” Isaac confessed.
Charlie knew exactly what Isaac meant by that, he had just recently gotten out of a super toxic six month relationship with his ex, Ben. He was still very much heartbroken over this boy, it was a super messy situation that left Charlie with so much self hatred and insecurity. It was hard for him to even get out of bed in the morning some days. So of course the boy knew his friend was right and forcing himself out of his comfort zone was exactly what he needed right now. He placed his hand on top of Isaacs and made eye contact with him.
“I want to do this.” he assured not only his friend but himself. Hearing him say it aloud made him feel better about it. He wanted this new beginning, even if it was a small step in his healing journey. He knew in the long run this would be good for him, or at least he hoped it would.
Isaac smiled back at Charlie, “let’s do this then.”
They return to the checkout counter and hand Darcy their applications and thank them one last time before leaving the store. On the bus ride home Charlie was coming to realize that he could no longer back out of this deal he made with Isaac. His application was officially submitted and he was expecting a phone call from the store manager any day now, that is if he was good enough to even get an interview. Charlie was 20 years old and this was the first time he had ever even applied for a job, his anxiety had stopped him from doing so beforehand so this was a really big deal. His only worry was that he lacked the experience for the job but besides that, to his surprise, he wasn’t really that anxious about it. In fact he had a really good feeling about this job, he didn’t want to get his hopes up of course but he was actually kind of excited in a way. Not only would he get to spend more time with his best friend but he also would be too busy to think about anything but work. Which meant Ben would be the furthest from his mind that he had ever been. He began to feel incredibly grateful for Isaac, and his stubbornness. If it weren’t for his relentless begging and pleading for Charlie to apply he wouldn’t have even thought about doing it on his own. He couldn’t wait to see what this new chapter would bring into his life, he might even make new friends, or find a new hobby or a love for books he didn’t even know he had. Thinking about it gave Charlie butterflies, but for once they were the excited kind instead of the nervous kind.
The bus let Charlie and Isaac off only five minutes from Charlie and his sister Tori’s flat so they decided to walk the rest of the way. Once they arrived, their friends Tao and Elle were patiently waiting for them in Charlie’s room cuddled up on the bed. They had planned to meet there for movie night earlier that day.
“Well we did it.” Isaac announces before plopping on the bed next to Tao.
“WE?” Elle questions, “Charlie you really did it?! I’m so proud of you.” she continues before jumping up and giving Charlie a hug.
“Good one mate, I’m proud of you” Tao adds smiling up at Charlie
“Thanks guys, I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for Isaac’s very persistent encouragement.” Charlie replied laughing. The group laughed with him and he felt even more proud of himself knowing that they were proud of him too.
After the congratulations and the group hugs they decided to watch The Notebook for the hundredth time. They all settled in Charlie’s bed with snacks and drinks and enjoyed the most heart wrenching, tear jerking, romance movie of all time, or at least that’s what Tao called it. At that moment Charlie knew it was only upwards from there and he would be okay as long as he had these amazing people in his life. Who needs romance when your life is full of complete genuine platonic love?